The Philadelphia City Council and others during Jim Kenney's inauguration ceremony

Posted: Jan 03 2016 11:55PM EST

Updated: Jan 04 2016 05:46PM EST

PHILADELPHIA- WTXF -

Jim Kenney took the oath of office as Philadelphia’s 99th mayor on Monday.

The 57-year-old Kenney, a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle, served in an at-large seat on Philadelphia’s City Council from 1992 until he resigned to run for mayor a year ago. He won a crowded Democratic primary last May before prevailing in November’s general election to succeed Michael Nutter as mayor:

A new year... and new leadership in Philadelphia. And the new mayor wasted no time talking about the priorities of his administration.

Taking the oath of office on the Academy of Music's grand stage Philadelphia's 99th mayor pledged effective transparent government accountable to the public.

"The vision that will guide this administration is that city government should first and foremost deliver efficient effective services to every single Philadelphian."

In his brief inaugural address the Democrat and former city councilman highlighting his priorities--pre-k, poverty, community schooling and police community relations.

The peaceful transfer of power inside giving way to a chaotic procession along broad street to city hall.

Kenney greeting wellwishers...flanked by security and press.

Praise coming from outgoing Mayor Michael Nutter as well.

"The city has a sense of momentum we're kind of on a roll but Mayor Kenney will put his own signature items forward,” Nutter said.

Late in the afternoon Kenney signing an executive order ensuring Philadelphia's status as a sanctuary city...saying local authorities will not cooperate with the feds to hold undocumented immigrants indefinitely.

"If you want hold someone without a warrant that's unconstitutional."

Now former Mayor Nutter had a stirred controversy when he announced changes to philly's sanctuary city status. Kenney's announcement met with cheers from immigration advocates.

In his inaugural address, Kenney thanked his family and spoke of having learned the value of public service from his fireman father.

"Government functions properly when it's accessible and accountable to the people it serves," the new mayor said in his address. "When government works as it's supposed to," he said, "changes people's lives."

Kenney added that it's important to acknowledge that "black lives do matter," while also acknowledging that the vast majority of police officers are "hard-working public servants."

He concluded by vowing to make each neighborhood in Philadelphia the best it can be, and exclaiming "let's get to work!"